The Maharashtra government has ruled out the Opposition’s charge that migrants from other states were involved in a maximum number of criminal cases. Home minister R.R. Patil has said that there is no reason to take any action against the migrant population, as there is no record to suggest that influx from other states is the root cause of increase in crime in Maharashtra.
State BJP president Sudhir Mungantiwar and BJP MLA from Ghatkopar Prakash Mehta had raised a star question in the legislative Assembly on Friday last week. The BJP MLAs had asked whether it was true that migrant population of hawkers, who put up unauthorised stalls encroaching pavements or roadsides, are increasingly involved in crimes in the state.
“Is it true that particularly in cases like vehicle theft, housebreaks and attacks on senior citizens, the involvement of the migrant population has increased? If it is true, what action has the state taken against these people?” the MLAs asked.
However, Mr Patil in his written reply tabled in the legislative Assembly has denied the Opposition’s claims. “There is no question of taking any action,” Mr Patil said.
In a reply to another question in connection with a murder of a senior citizen in Ghatkopar, the home minister admitted that the police had failed to crack the case even after 10 months.
Daksha Satish Daftari (65) was murdered in her house in Ghatkopar on February 7, 2012. “The police are still making all efforts to arrest the culprits,” the home minister said.
Regarding the steps taken to ensure security of senior citizens, Mr Patil said, “The government issues directives from time to time regarding security of senior citizens. Police have collated a list of senior citizens and they carry out background checks of people working as maids and security guards for senior citizens. Advisories are issued for senior citizens and police officers periodically visits them at their houses.”